Removable Sleeve for Facilitating the Application of Compression Stockings

ABSTRACT

An inexpensive sleeve and method of use are disclosed for easing application of a compression stocking onto a foot and leg. By reducing the friction usually encountered when applying a compression stocking or sock, the sleeve protects the foot and leg from injury, and helps to avoid the need for sophisticated stocking or sleeve manipulation. The sleeve is made from a low friction material, such as plastic, silk, Tyvec, or nylon, and therefore is easy to pull over the foot and leg while closely conforming thereto so as to avoid folding and bunching. The sleeve can be disposable and/or closed at one end. The method of use includes pulling the sleeve over the foot and leg, pulling the stocking over the sleeve, and then removing the sleeve through an open stocking toe or through the top of the stocking, leaving the stocking in place.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to compression stockings, and more specifically to devices that facilitate the application of a compression stocking.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When worn on a daily basis, compression stockings can provide support and therapeutic treatment for patients who have insufficient venous (blood) and/or lymphatic return flow in one or both of their lower legs. The stockings are typically graduated so as to move fluid only toward the heart, thereby compensating for poorly functioning veins and/or a poorly functioning lymphatic system. Depending on the needs of the patient, compression stockings can provide decreased superficial venous pressure, improved venous return, decreased edema, reduced transcapillary leakage of solutes and fluids, and improved comfort. To accommodate differences in patient anatomy, differences in medical condition, and differences in degree of severity, compression stockings typically come in various sizes, various compression ratings, and various styles. For example, some compression stockings are closed at the toe, and others are open at the toe.

To be effective, a compression stocking must fit tightly against the leg of a patient. Because of this tight fit, it can be difficult for a patient to pull a compression stocking over the foot and onto the lower leg, especially if the patient is elderly, physically challenged, and/or has leg sensitivities due to recent surgery or other causes that can lead to discomfort caused by rubbing of the stocking material over the skin of the leg. This can lead to inconvenience, muscle and joint strain, injury, and failure to use the compression stockings properly.

In addition, because compression stockings are often prescribed after a medical procedure, such as surgery to treat circulatory problems in the leg, and because post surgery patients are typically not allowed to leave the medical environment (hospital, nursing home, rehab facility, or such like) until they are able to independently apply the compression stockings, difficulty in applying compression stockings can lead to extended hospital stays and significant added costs.

A common method for applying a compression stocking is to invert most of the stocking, except for the last few inches near the toe end. These last few inches are then pulled over the foot, after which the inverted remainder of the stocking is rolled over the ankle and up the leg. While simple in principle, this approach requires sophisticated manipulation of the stocking, which can be difficult for any patient and nearly impossible for an elderly and/or physically challenged patient, such as a patient with arthritis in his or her fingers. This approach also requires that the lower end of the stocking be pulled over the foot, which can be difficult to accomplish and can be irritating to the skin of the foot.

It is sometimes suggested that a conventional plastic bag be placed over the foot before applying an open-toed compression stocking. The compression stocking is inverted as usual, but the plastic bag helps the last few inches of the stocking to slide over the foot more easily before the remainder of the stocking is unrolled onto the leg. Once the compression stocking has been applied, the plastic bag is then pulled out from under the stocking through the open toe of the compression stocking.

This approach can help to lower the friction of the stocking as it is pulled over the foot, thereby reducing the force required to install the stocking and avoiding irritation to the skin of the foot. However, this approach does not avoid the sophisticated manipulation required to invert most of the stocking and then unroll it onto the leg. Also, the necessity to compress a bulky, rectangular plastic bag around the foot can cause folding and bunching of the excess plastic of the bag. This can increase friction and cause displacement of the bag during stocking installation, and can irritate and even injure the skin of the foot during removal of the bag, when the folded and bunched plastic is dragged across the foot while being simultaneously pressed against the skin of the foot by the compression stocking. Finally, this approach does not address the problem of how to apply a closed-toe compression stocking.

Another approach is to use a “slipper” device to facilitate application of an open-toed compression stocking. The slipper conforms to the foot more precisely than a plastic bag, thereby reducing stocking friction and avoiding discomfort and injury to the foot during removal of the slipper. However, slipper devices are somewhat costly, and are therefore not disposable. Also, a slipper device does not eliminate the necessity for sophisticated manipulation of the stocking before application.

An approach that is sometimes used to apply either an open-toe or a closed-toe compression stocking is to use a liner sleeve that is open at both ends to pre-line the compression stocking before application. The liner sleeve is inserted into the compression stocking to the level of the heel, with the liner sleeve extending beyond the top of the compression stocking. The lined stocking is then pulled over the foot and leg until the toes reach the heel. Straps are typically provided at the top of the liner sleeve to facilitate pulling on the liner and thereby pull on the stocking. The foot is then worked beyond the lining and into the foot of the compression stocking by rubbing the foot against the ground, or possibly against a special friction pad supplied with the liner stocking and placed on the ground. Finally, the lining is pulled out from under the compression stocking from the top, and is removed by sliding it over the compression stocking and over the lower leg and foot.

While this approach avoids the need to invert the stocking, it nevertheless requires sophisticated manipulation of the sleeve and stocking in placing the sleeve inside of the stocking before application. Also, this solution is somewhat expensive, since a durable, re-usable lining sleeve must be supplied, typically with straps that facilitate pulling on the sleeve (since the method of use makes it very difficult to pull on the stocking). Finally, for closed-toed compression stockings, additional effort is required in rubbing the foot against the ground so as to work the foot beyond the lining and into the foot of the compression stocking.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A device and method of use are claimed for facilitating the application of a compression stocking. The device is an inexpensive sleeve that is shaped to approximately fit the foot and leg of a patient. In preferred embodiments, the sleeve is plastic and disposable. The sleeve is placed over the foot and leg before application of a compression stocking, which is then pulled over the sleeve and onto the leg. After application of the stocking, the sleeve is removed by sliding it out from under the stocking, either through the toe of an open-toe stocking or from the top end of the stocking.

The sleeve of the present invention protects the foot and leg from frictional injury, and facilitates application of the stocking by reducing friction while eliminating the need for partial inversion of the stocking or for any other sophisticated manipulation of the sleeve or the stocking. This allows the device to be easily used by patients who are elderly and/or physically challenged. Because the sleeve is inexpensive to produce and preferably disposable, the cost is reduced and the need to clean or launder the device is reduced or eliminated. Because the method of use includes pulling the stocking over the sleeve, rather than pulling the sleeve and stocking on as a unit, sleeve handles are not required, further reducing the cost.

The sleeve is made from a material with low friction, which in preferred embodiments is plastic, silk, tyvec, or nylon. In preferred embodiments, the invention can be supplied as a plurality of disposable sleeves, and can be supplied in a variety of shapes and sizes so as to account for different patient anatomies. The size and shape of the sleeve can then be selected so as to allow it to be easily drawn over the foot and up the leg, while minimizing any tendency for the sleeve to fold and/or bunch up when pressed against the leg and foot by the compression stocking. This makes removal of the sleeve easy, and avoids discomfort and/or injury to the leg or foot.

One general aspect of the present invention is a device for facilitating the application of a compression stocking to a patient's foot and leg. The device includes a sleeve that has a shape and size approximating the shape and size of a portion of the foot and leg, while being sufficiently large to allow the sleeve to be easily slid over the foot and up the leg so as to surround and cover the foot and leg portion. The sleeve is constructed using a material that minimizes friction between the sleeve and the stocking when the stocking is pulled over the sleeve.

In preferred embodiments, the sleeve is either open at both ends or closed at one end. In some embodiments where the sleeve is open at both ends, the sleeve includes a perforation extending between both ends of the sleeve so as to facilitate tearing of the sleeve along its length.

In certain embodiments the sleeve is disposable, and some of these embodiments include a plurality of disposable sleeves. Still other embodiments include a plurality of sleeves with a variety of shapes and sizes.

In some embodiments the sleeve is sufficiently large to allow the sleeve to be easily slid over the compression stocking for removal when the compression stocking is in place on the foot and leg.

In various embodiments, the construction of the sleeve includes at least one of plastic, silk, tyvec, and nylon. And in certain embodiments the sleeve is constructed so as not to tear and not to become significantly distorted when a pulling force of up to 4 pounds is applied to the sleeve.

In preferred embodiments the sleeve is at least one of the following:

hypoallergenic;

non-porous;

seamless; and/or

harmless to the environment.

Another general aspect of the present invention is a method for facilitating application of a compression stocking with an open toe to a patient's foot and leg. The method includes providing a sleeve having a shape and size that approximate the shape and size of a portion of the foot and leg, while allowing the sleeve to be easily slid over the foot and up the leg so as to surround and cover the foot and leg portion, the sleeve being constructed using a material that minimizes friction between the sleeve and the stocking when the stocking is pulled over the sleeve.

The method further includes sliding the sleeve over the foot and up the leg so as to cover the foot and leg portion, sliding the compression stocking over the sleeve so as to cover a desired region of the foot and leg, and sliding the sleeve through the open toe of the compression stocking, thereby removing the sleeve while leaving the compression stocking applied to the foot and leg.

In preferred embodiments, the sleeve is either open at both ends or closed at one end. In some embodiments the sleeve is disposable, and some of these embodiments include a plurality of disposable sleeves.

Yet another general aspect of the invention is a method for facilitating the application of a compression stocking to a patient's foot and leg. The method includes providing a disposable sleeve having a shape and size that approximate the shape and size of a portion of the foot and leg, while allowing the sleeve to be easily slid over the foot and up the leg so as to surround and cover the foot and leg portion, the sleeve being open at both ends and constructed using a material that minimizes friction between the sleeve and the stocking when the stocking is pulled over the sleeve.

The method further includes sliding the sleeve over the foot and up the leg so as to cover the foot and leg portion, sliding the compression stocking over the sleeve so as to cover a desired region of the foot and leg, sliding the sleeve through an open top of the compression stocking, thereby removing the sleeve while leaving the compression stocking applied to the foot and leg, and removing the sleeve from the leg by at least one of sliding the sleeve over the compression stocking and foot, tearing the sleeve along its length, and cutting the sleeve along its length.

In preferred embodiments the sleeve is either open at both ends or closed at one end. In some embodiments where the sleeve is open at both ends, the sleeve includes a perforation extending between both ends of the sleeve so as to facilitate tearing of the sleeve along its length.

In certain preferred embodiments, the sleeve is sufficiently large to allow the sleeve to be easily slid over the compression stocking for removal when the compression stocking is in place on the foot and leg.

In some preferred embodiments, the sleeve is disposable, and in some of these embodiments the device comprises a plurality of disposable sleeves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the detailed description, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a sleeve for facilitating the application of a compression stocking in a preferred embodiment that includes a closed lower end and an open upper end;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a sleeve for facilitating the application of a compression stocking in a preferred embodiment that includes an open lower end and an open upper end, with a perforation extending between the two ends;

FIG. 3A shows a sleeve partially installed and just covering the bottom half of a foot;

FIG. 3B shows the sleeve of FIG. 3A fully installed on the foot and lower leg and ready for installation of a compression stocking;

FIG. 4A shows a compression stocking in the process of being installed over the sleeve of FIG. 3B and just covering the bottom half of the foot;

FIG. 4B shows the compression stocking of FIG. 4A fully installed over the sleeve;

FIG. 5A shows the sleeve of FIG. 4B being removed through the open toe of the compression stocking, with the compression stocking partially rolled up at the toe;

FIG. 5B shows the sleeve of FIG. 4B being removed through the open toe of the compression stocking with the compression stocking fully installed;

FIG. 5C shows the compression stocking of FIG. 5B fully installed after removal of the sleeve;

FIG. 6A shows a sleeve being removed through an open top of a compression stocking;

FIG. 6B shows the sleeve of FIG. 6A after having been completely removed through the open top of the compression stocking and being removed from the upper leg by tearing the sleeve along a perforation that runs between the two ends of the sleeve;

FIG. 6C shows removal of the sleeve of FIG. 6B from the leg and foot by sliding the sleeve over the compression stocking and off of the foot;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of the present invention for facilitating application of a compression stocking with an open toe to a foot and a leg; and

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of the present invention for facilitating application of a compression stocking with a closed toe to a foot and a leg.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, the present invention is a sleeve 100 that facilitates application of a compression stocking without the need for complex manipulation of either the sleeve or the stocking. The sleeve 100 thereby reduces the force needed to apply the stocking and reduces irritation and possible injury to the foot and leg. The sleeve is inexpensive, and in preferred embodiments it is disposable.

The sleeve 100 of the present invention includes a lower end 102 and an upper end 104. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the sleeve 100 is closed at the lower end 102, while in other embodiments it is open at both ends 102, 104. The sleeve 100 has a shape and size that approximate the shape and size of a corresponding portion of a foot and leg, while being sufficiently large to allow the sleeve 100 to be easily slid over the foot and up the leg so as to surround and cover at least part of the area to which the compression stocking is to be applied. The sleeve 100 is constructed using a material that minimizes friction between the sleeve and the stocking when the stocking is pulled over the sleeve.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sleeve 100 of the present invention similar to the sleeve 100 of FIG. 1, except that it is open at the both the lower end 102 and at the upper end 104. In this embodiment, the sleeve 100 also includes a perforation 202 that extends between the lower end 102 and the upper end 104. As discussed in more detail with reference to FIG. 6B below, the perforation 202 allows a patient (not shown) to tear the sleeve 100 along its length so as to remove it from the leg after use.

FIG. 3A shows the sleeve 100 of FIG. 1 in the process of being applied, covering just the bottom half of a foot 110. The patient is grasping the sleeve 100 and is in the process of pulling it over his or her foot 110 and lower leg 112 with his or her hands 114. The sleeve 100 is sufficiently large to allow it to be easily slid over the foot 110 and up the leg 112, so as to surround and cover most or all of the region of the the foot 110 and lower leg 112 that will eventually be covered by the compression stocking (not shown in FIG. 3A).

FIG. 3B shows the sleeve 100 of FIG. 3A fully installed on the foot 110 and lower leg 112 of the patient. The sleeve 100 may be made from any low friction material, such as (but not limited to) plastic, silk, tyvec, or nylon. In this embodiment, the sleeve 100 is constructed so as not to tear and not to become significantly distorted when a pulling force of up to 4 pounds is applied to it. The sleeve 100 can be made of a material that is hypoallergenic, non-porous and seamless, and can also be disposable and environmentally safe.

FIG. 4A shows a compression stocking 120 in the process of being installed and just covering the bottom half of the foot 110. The patient is grasping the compression stocking 120 with his or her hands 114 and is pulling the compression stocking 120 over the the sleeve 100. The sleeve 100 facilitates application of the compression stocking 120 by reducing friction while eliminating the need for partial inversion of the compression stocking 120 and/or for any other sophisticated manipulation of the sleeve 100 or the compression stocking 120. The sleeve also protects the foot 110 and leg 112 of the patient from irritation and/or injury due to sliding of the compression stocking 120 over the foot 110 and leg 112 during application.

FIG. 4B shows the compression stocking 120 of FIG. 4A fully installed over the sleeve 100. After application of the compression stocking 120, the sleeve 100 can be removed in any of several ways, depending on the configuration of the stocking 120 and the embodiment of the sleeve 100. Removal begins by sliding the sleeve 100 out from under the compression stocking 120, either through an open-toe 122 of the compression stocking 120 or (if the sleeve 100 has an open toe 102) out through the open top 124 of the compression stocking 120. In the latter case, the sleeve 100 must then be removed from the upper leg 112. In some embodiments it is removed by sliding it over the outside of the compression stocking 120 and off of the foot 110. In other embodiments in which the sleeve 100 is disposable and includes a perforation 202 running between its two open ends 102, 104, the sleeve is removed from the upper leg 112 by tearing the sleeve 100 along the perforation 200.

FIGS. 5A illustrates the removal of a sleeve 100 through the open toe 122 of a compression stocking 120. In this embodiment, the compression stocking is pushed or rolled back from the toes of the patient, thereby making it easier to grasp the sleeve 100 and pull it out from under the remainder of the compression stocking 120. FIG. 5B illustrated removal of a sleeve 100 through the open toe 122 of a compression stocking under circumstances where rolling or pushing the toe portion of the stocking 120 is difficult or impossible. In this embodiment, a portion 102 of the sleeve 100 sufficient for grasping is allowed to protrude from the open toe of the compression stocking 120 (see FIG. 4B) and the sleeve 100 is removed by grasping this protruding portion 102 and pulling the sleeve out from under the compression stocking 120 through the open toe of the stocking 120.

FIG. 5C shows the compression stocking 120 of FIG. 5B after the stocking 120 has been applied to the foot 110 and the leg 112, and after the sleeve 100 has been fully removed.

FIG. 6A illustrates removal of a sleeve 100 with an open toe 102 through the open top 124 of the compression stocking 120. The sleeve 100 is slid out from under the compression stocking 120 through the open top 124 of the compression stocking 120, leaving the compression stocking 120 in place. This method requires that the sleeve 100 be open at both the lower end 102 and at the upper end 104, and allows the compression stocking 120 to have either an open or a closed toe 126.

FIG. 6B shows the sleeve 100 of FIG. 6A having been completely removed from under the compression stocking 120 through the open top 124 of the stocking 120, and being removed from the upper leg 112 by tearing the sleeve 100 along a perforation 202 that extends between the lower end 102 and the upper end 104 of the sleeve 100.

FIG. 6C shows the sleeve 100 of FIG. 6A having been completely removed from under the compression stocking 120 through the open top 124 of the stocking 120, and being removed from the upper leg 112 by sliding the sleeve 100 over the outside of the compression stocking 120, over the leg 112, and off of the foot 110.

FIG. 7 presents a flow diagram 300 describing a method for using a sleeve 100 of the present invention to facilitate application of a compression stocking 120 with an open toe 122 to a foot 110 and leg 112. The process depicted in FIG. 7 is initiated by providing a sleeve 100 with a shape and size that approximate the shape and size of at least a portion of the area of the foot 110 and leg 112 that is to be covered by the compression stocking 120. Then 304 the sleeve 100 is slid over the foot 110 and up the leg 112 to cover a portion of the foot 110 and leg 112. Next 306 the compression stocking 120 is slid over the sleeve 100 so as to cover the desired region of the foot 110 and leg 112. Thereafter 308, the sleeve 100 is removed from the leg 112 by sliding it out from under the compression stocking 120 through the open toe 122 of the compression stocking 120, leaving the compression stocking 120 remaining in place.

FIG. 8 presents a flow diagram 400 describing a method for using a sleeve 100 of the present invention to facilitate application of a compression stocking 120 with a closed toe. The process depicted in FIG. 8 is initiated by providing a sleeve 100 with a shape and size that approximate the shape and size of at least a portion of the area of the foot 110 and leg 112 that is to be covered by the compression stocking 120. Then 304 the sleeve 100 is slid over the foot 110 and up the leg 112 to cover a portion of the foot 110 and leg 112. Next 306 the compression stocking 120 is slid over the sleeve 100 so as to cover the desired region of the foot 110 and leg 112. Thereafter 402, the sleeve is slid out from under the compression stocking 120 through the open top 124 of the compression stocking 120. This leaves the sleeve 100 surrounding the upper leg 112. Next the sleeve 100 is removed from the upper leg 112 by one of two methods, depending on the embodiment. In one of these removal methods 404 the sleeve 100 is slid over the outside of the compression stocking and off of the foot. In the other of these removal methods 406 the sleeve 100 is disposable, and is removed by tearing or cutting it along its length. In some embodiments (see FIG. 2) a perforation is included in the sleeve 100 to facilitate this step. Once the sleeve 100 has been removed, the compression stocking 120 remains in place 408 as desired.

Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention except as indicated in the following claims. 

1. A device for facilitating the application of a compression stocking to a patient's foot and leg, the device comprising: a sleeve having a shape and size that approximate the shape and size of a portion of the foot and leg, while being sufficiently large to allow the sleeve to be easily slid over the foot and up the leg so as to surround and cover the foot and leg portion; the sleeve being constructed using a material that minimizes friction between the sleeve and the stocking when the stocking is pulled over the sleeve.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is one of open at both ends and closed at one end.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is open at both ends and includes a perforation extending between both ends of the sleeve so as to facilitate tearing of the sleeve along its length.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is disposable.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the device comprises a plurality of disposable sleeves.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a plurality of sleeves including a variety of shapes and sizes.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is sufficiently large to allow the sleeve to be easily slid over the compression stocking for removal when the compression stocking is in place on the foot and leg.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the construction of the sleeve includes at least one of plastic, silk, tyvec, and nylon.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is constructed so as not to tear and not to become significantly distorted when a pulling force of up to 4 pounds is applied to the sleeve.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is at least one of: hypoallergenic; non-porous; seamless; and harmless to the environment.
 11. A method for facilitating application of a compression stocking with an open toe to a patient's foot and leg, the method comprising: providing a sleeve having a shape and size that approximate the shape and size of a portion of the foot and leg, while allowing the sleeve to be easily slid over the foot and up the leg so as to surround and cover the foot and leg portion, the sleeve being constructed using a material that minimizes friction between the sleeve and the stocking when the stocking is pulled over the sleeve; sliding the sleeve over the foot and up the leg so as to cover the foot and leg portion; sliding the compression stocking over the sleeve so as to cover a desired region of the foot and leg; and sliding the sleeve through the open toe of the compression stocking, thereby removing the sleeve while leaving the compression stocking applied to the foot and leg.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the sleeve is one of open at both ends and closed at one end.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the sleeve is disposable.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein a plurality of disposable sleeves is provided.
 15. A method for facilitating the application of a compression stocking to a patient's foot and leg, the method comprising: providing a disposable sleeve having a shape and size that approximate the shape and size of a portion of the foot and leg, while allowing the sleeve to be easily slid over the foot and up the leg so as to surround and cover the foot and leg portion, the sleeve being open at both ends and constructed using a material that minimizes friction between the sleeve and the stocking when the stocking is pulled over the sleeve; sliding the sleeve over the foot and up the leg so as to cover the foot and leg portion; sliding the compression stocking over the sleeve so as to cover a desired region of the foot and leg; sliding the sleeve through an open top of the compression stocking, thereby removing the sleeve while leaving the compression stocking applied to the foot and leg; and removing the sleeve from the leg by at least one of sliding the sleeve over the compression stocking and foot, tearing the sleeve along its length, and cutting the sleeve along its length.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the sleeve is one of open at both ends and closed at one end.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the sleeve is open at both ends and includes a perforation extending between both ends of the sleeve so as to facilitate tearing of the sleeve along its length.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the sleeve is sufficiently large to allow the sleeve to be easily slid over the compression stocking for removal when the compression stocking is in place on the foot and leg.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the sleeve is disposable.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the a plurality of disposable sleeves is provided. 